 It is it is great to see you all in person great news Pablo first of all for coming from away with an all-Canadian cast here at the NAC That'll be great. We're all looking forward to that But really what Pablo said, it's so much fun to see everyone gathered here at the National Art Center during this important summit of culture We're all I think pretty pleased to be gathering in person, but You know it zoom was good and it had its places and I think the fact that we're going to be able to continue to move forward In a way that has been informed by these difficult two years and do lots of things in person and a few things virtually We'll we'll make sure that we get everything done I have to say I was just about an hour ago on an Instagram live Just sort of doing a virtual thing with to kick off Asian Heritage Month here in Canada With the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe from Canada Simu Liu who was awesome and he's An amazingly powerful not just actor but but writer and producer of content as well and telling stories that Span the breadth and scope of this country and beyond is what this community has always done so well But has rarely been as important as as we're all trying to come together and learn from each other and figure out the right path forward after this pandemic We often say that culture is at the heart of who we are The think of culture as heart is a great image because it's true on so many levels When artists tell stories through whichever medium they choose They bring life to every part of our country from coast to coast to coast They move us They challenge us They make us feel what they feel Your work is at the heart of who we are Because you create shared experiences which play a fundamental role in building a stronger more cohesive society We have a country that is very proud of its diversity proud of its differences Incredibly rich because of all those differences But diversity on its own doesn't create strength Diversity that leans in to learn From each other to challenge itself with those differences to share those perspectives and those experiences To build something greater than the whole than the sum of its parts That's what Canada and specifically the Canadian arts community has been unbelievably good at over the past decades and It's a story that needs to be celebrated both through the individual stories, but also by standing up strongly and proudly and Showcasing what happens when you have a vibrant empowered supported diverse arts community the world is filled with conflicts and differences and challenges and our capacity To lean on each other to draw those stories together to weave them into an Extraordinary overarching narrative that we can all see ourselves in That's the challenge of the 21st century That's a challenge. We don't meet Unless all of you are at your very best So that's why I want to start tonight by thanking you. Thank you to the people on stage and backstage Thank you to the technicians who work long hours the booking agents who take risks the museum workers Who dutifully preserve our history you are doing outstanding work, but you are also doing Essential work for all of us Les les deux dernières années ont été extrêmement difficile comme Pablo vient juste de le dire dès le début de la pandémie on a mis sur pied le fonds d'urgence pour soutenir les organismes chargés de la culture ce fonds a permis à des milliers d'organismes de rester opérationnels Récemment j'ai rencontré un couple de deux musiciens classique a kitchener Ian est contre bassiste et Allen était violiniste ils ont deux jeunes enfants leur orchestre n'a pas pu donner de concert pendant une partie de la pandémie mais au moins ils ont pu garder leur emploi grâce aux différents programmes de soutien comme la subvention salariale puis je veux pas réfléchir à comment on serait plus pauvre en tant que pays si on avait perdu pendant cette pandémie de nombreux contre bassiste et violiniste Falla contienne bon et parce qu'on a tenu bon ensemble ces deux sont contents de pouvoir recommencer à jouer leur instrument pour gagner leur vie aussi pour reconnecter avec le public il reste optimiste mais ils vivent encore avec beaucoup d'incertitude alors cette semaine le Sommet national sur la culture et l'occasion de continuer à travailler ensemble pour s'assurer que la relance soit forte et durable pour les gens comme Ian et Allen arts culture and heritage are also significant drivers of our economy And as you know I'm not only talking about ticket sales and revenues When people go to see plays concerts or dance performances that often involves getting dinner nearby or a visit to the boutique On top of that your contributions attract tourists from across the country and around the world Everyone benefits it so it's important that we continue to be here to support you We know that many cultural workers are Independent and self-employed So in February we launched the performing arts workers resilience fund to provide targeted assistance to those who need it Today I can announce that four independent agencies will distribute 50 million dollars directly to affected self-employed individuals in the sector La fondation des artistes the actors fund of Canada the Canadian dance assembly and the unison benevolent fund Will help us provide nationwide coverage to a range of artists and technicians We'll have more to say soon Well Pablo will have more to say soon on how we'll deliver support for professional development and mentoring also through the resilience fund Just as artists are significant economic drivers. You also drive important conversations I was in Winnipeg a little over a week ago to attend a ceremony for the transfer of the historic Hudson's Bay building To the southern chief's organization The building will be renovated and repurposed, but it's vacant right now So last year partners in the community decided to use the window panels to do an installation that features artwork from indigenous artists Peter Thomas and Glenn gear Projects like these help us see the world through each other's eyes. They help us understand one another Que ce soit des pièces de théâtre documentaire qui parle d'environnement ou des spectacles de spoken word qui traite d'expérience vécu de discrimination la culture nous fait réfléchir et nous fait évoluer maintenant suite à la pandémie avec les nouvelles technologies vos secteurs changent rapidement pas seulement ici mais partout dans le monde This week's summit is important because we have to continue working together to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness for your sectors We want you to have the tools you need to win back audiences Adapt to new digital platforms and be part of the conversation for a more open and inclusive society So thank you for your participation. Our government will continue working with you as partners Because we understand I think you know here Pablo and I are gonna pull the Quebecer card, but You're an element d'identity the culture Que nous les Québécois ont toujours compris mais qu'on voit à travers le pays de plus en plus fort In a globalized world in a digital world in a diverse world It becomes so much more important to share and tell our stories and the fact that new platforms allow us To play to such larger audiences everywhere around the world It's an incredibly important opportunity not just for Canadian artists to resonate around the world but for the message that we have to share of What we've managed to develop here in this country By being open to one another By not having to leave one culture behind to melt into a pot of a uniform culture However unsuccessful that always ends up trying to be But a country in an identity That is proud of the layers and textures and stories That are all piled in together and coexisting simultaneously and it's as important to celebrate our successes As is is like come from away as it is to look squarely At where we've faltered But where is a country we haven't lived up to the idea of Canada that we all carry in our minds Story of residential schools and the need for more reconciliation being first and foremost around that But there are so many layers of stories that need to be told stories that are distinctly Canadian But universal in their application And the way we are able To make sure that all of you Everyone each of you one of you here Represents in various ways shapes or form is able to find your strongest voice Is able to pierce through in a time of so much cynicism of skepticism of Polarization in some ways to reach out and grab that common humanity Those shared experiences that unite us and that yes define us even in all our differences The role of the arts in making us think and making us dream in challenging us Yes, but also Indefining ourselves for ourselves through our strong songs and our stories and every way we have to challenge and share These are things that are becoming more and more Important in a world in challenge in a world in crisis And I am Let me just finish on that note then because you seem to like it I am incredibly incredibly privileged to be able to be The Prime Minister of Canadians at a time where all of you are stepping up Not just in this room, but across the country from coast to coast to build stronger communities to build a better country To build a better world. Merci mes amis